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AN inspirationalgrandmother whohad not cycled in20 years and waslast in a crosscountry team 45years ago, has justcompleted atriathlon.
Julie Davis, 56,
from Haslingden,
decided to turn
daredevil in
September 2017
when she completed
a tandem skydive to
celebrate her 55th
birthday.
The retired finance
officer with a housing
charity used the event
to raise £1,200 for
VIC. Her father John
Edwards, is a former
firefighter and a
member of the
charity.
She said: “I
decided I should do
something a little
more challenging than
just allow myself to be
chucked out of a
plane at 15,000ft, so I
signed up to a Pink
Wave Triathlon – a
200m swim, 9km
cycle and a 2.5km
run.
“I have diabetes
and last November
my doctor said if I
didn’t do something I
could end up on
insulin. If that had
happened I would
have thought I had
failed myself.
“I knew I could do
something about it so
I started to eat
properly and I lost a
stone, then I saw my
brother and sister-in-
law and I often come
away with a crazy
idea after seeing
them.
“The weight loss
had improved my
blood sugars and my
sister said she had
signed up for the
triathlon and she said
if she could do it so
could I.
“On February 1 I
went to the gym to
start the Couch to 5k
programme. After my
first 60 seconds I felt
like dying and then I
tried to pedal the
cycle, oh my – wobbly
knees. I’ve
persevered because I
was raising money for
VIC. It was a real
challenge.”
Julie had help from
her grandson seven-
year-old Theo who
became her personal
trainer and would
accompany her on
the electric scooter
while Grandma
jogged.
She tried to go to
the gym three times a
week and even kept
up her training in the
onboard gym while
she was on a month-
long cruise.
The triathlon was
held at York Sport
Village and Julie
again raised money
for VIC as well as
making a donation to
Cancer Research UK
through entering the
event.
She completed the
8 length swim in
7mins 58ses, 9km
bike ride in 35mins
28secs and the 2.3km
run in 19mins 35secs.
She has also lost a
further stone in
weight.
Julie said: “Online I
have raised £465,
which totals £562
after Gift Aid and I am
still getting donations,
cash and cheques.
“If anyone wants to
do this, I would say
go for it. You are
never too old just take
it nice and steady and
work on your fitness. I
had set myself a
challenge and it was
not easy but my dad
was very proud.”
VIC Operations
Manager Bob Elliott
said: “This was a truly
an outstanding effort
and VIC is very
grateful to Julie for
everything that she
has done.”
To donate to Julie
visit
https://uk.virginmoney
giving.com/JulieDavis
21
VIC NewsletterETERANS
N
OMMUNITIES
V
C
I
July2019
www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected]
Just go for it
Photos NewPixelsEvents.co.uk
www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected]
ADMIN officer AmandaWalton was invited by aGP to deliver apresentation to BurnleyHealth and WellbeingPartnership on the workof VIC.
She also attended
Burnley Wood Community
Action Network’s meeting at
Burnley Wood
Neighbourhood Centre to
discuss how VIC can get
involved in a community
event that is being planned.
THE Haslingden branch ofThe Royal British Legionwill hold its fun day onSunday July 28 from 12noon to 4pm.
It will be at St Mary’s
Football Club and VIC is
looking for volunteers to
man its stall. There will be
lots of activities at the
event.
FOLLOWING on from lastyear’s very successfulCeilidh, another will beheld on SaturdaySeptember 14 at the IDLClub, George Street,Haslingden.
Tickets are £10, which
includes supper, and
dancing will be to Frolicking
Pete and the Fumbling
Fingers Ceilidh Band.
Tickets are available from
Admin Officer Amanda
Walton by calling 01706
833180.
TO VOLUNTEER to helpthe Round the Hills Walk,organised by RossendaleRotary Club on September1 see our Facebook page.
Legion fun day
Ceilidh night
Round the Hills
Burnley talks
Accrington shop takes offONE OF the firstvisitors to our newshop in Accringtonwas seeking a capbadge from hisNational Servicedays, and VIC wasable to help.
Ronald Grimes, 86,
from Accrington, who
had served in the
Loyals, called in and
met VIC volunteer
Gary Horrocks.
He explained how
he was looking to find
his old cap badge and
Gary made a search
of internet auction site
ebay. Not only did he
find the badge, he
also found an old
book on the Loyals.
He was delighted to
present Ronald with
the badge Ronald
called into the shop to
say a personal thank
you.
Operations
Manager Bob Elliott
said: “Since we
opened the Accrington
Veterans Drop-in it
has been a great
success.
“We are getting
veterans, families and
the public coming in
regularly to have a
chat, look at the art
work on display and
asking for information.
“We have a
growing number of
veterans volunteering
on Tuesday and
Fridays and
these will be
start of the new
team we are
building.
“We have
increased some
of the displays
to include our
Lest We Forget
merchandise and we
will have a selection
of art materials at
discounted prices.”
The shop is staffed
by veteran volunteers
Andy Stevenson, Bill
Buckley and Brian
McEvoy along with
Gary.
The shop, in the
Arndale Centre, is
open Tuesdays and
Fridays 10am to 3pm
and on Tuesdays an
art group
that was
being held
at the VIC
Centre has
relocated to
a room at
the back of
the shop
and it is growing in
popularity.
For information on
volunteering or
advice, simply drop-in
into shop or call
01706 833180.
WALKERS enjoyed alovely walk to LundsTower and CowlingPinnacle when theweather was great andthe views werespectacular.
On Thursday July 25
there will be a medium walk
of seven-and-a-half miles
around Hardcastle Craggs.
A further 5.5 mile walk up
Pendle Hill will be held on
Thursday August 8 and for
those not wanting to tackle
the hill, a shorter and easier
walk will be held around the
sculpture trail.
For all the walks, meet at
the VIC Centre at 9.30am
and a voluntary £3 donation
is requested to cover
transportation costs.
Walks for all
This stunning commission
painting of seven wolves has been
created by VIC Art Group artist
Lesley Barlow – needless to say its
new owner is delighted.
www.vic.org.uk Twitter @VICRossendale [email protected]
Awards for All for VIPVETERANS In Productionhas been successful inobtaining an Awards for Alllottery grant of almost£10,000 to help to developthe project.
Chief Executive Liz Hamilton
said: “VIP has never had its own
equipment, it has either been
donated or loaned, this grant
means that the members will be
able to buy their own tools and
they will match the jobs they are
undertaking.
“The grant will also cover
volunteer expenses and enable
a structured training programme
to be introduced for volunteers.”
Veterans in Production
manufactures wooden items to
order and has created a wide
range of products using recycled
pallets donated by kitchen,
bedroom and bathroom
manufacturer JJO and also
offcuts of wood from Accrington
and Rossendale College.
WE HAVE said afond farewell tovolunteer GraceCodd who has nowlanded a full-timejob in Stacksteadsthanks to pickingup joinery skills atVIC.
Grace began
helping out with
Veterans In
Production in
November last year
on placement from
North Lancs Training
Group.
She enjoyed
herself so much she
stayed on as a
volunteer and has
helped to create a lot
of the products that
VIP has been selling.
On her last day at
the centre, she was
given a fantastic
send off and a ride
home on the back of
Bernard Tighe’s
motorbike.
Operations
Manager Bob Elliott
said: “Grace has
worked tirelessly and
been a real part of
the team. We wish
her well in her new
job at Canopy
Products Ltd where
she will be learning
new skills and
receive training.
“She has already
been in contact and
says she ‘misses the
banter’ at VIC.
Congratulations on
getting the job and it
is good to see your
hard work with us is
being rewarded.”
A big thank you to Michelle from Rochdale Jobcentre
for presenting Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth with a
cheque at the Rochdale Breakfast Club.
Jobcentre staff had a dress down day to commemorate
Armed Forces Day and donated the collection to VIC.
Congratulations Grace
VIC News is produced by: Catherine Smyth Media. 01706 877150/ 07903 997375 www.catherinesmyth.co.uk
What’s On and Where
Activities are held at the VIC Centre, BuryRoad, Haslingden, BB4 5PL, unless otherwisestated.
Outreach ServiceMONDAY-FRIDAY9am-4.30pm
For a home appointment call 01706 833180
MONDAYCrafty Chatters10am-12 noon
TUESDAYArt Group and drop-in (RELOCATED TO
HYNDBURN)
10am-3pm
WEDNESDAYAllotment and Veterans In Production
Help on the allotment in Holcombe Road,
Helmshore, or manufacture wooden items
at the centre. Contact 01706 833180.
Art Class2pm-4pm
Jubilee Court, Jubilee Road, Haslingden,
BB4 4DD.
THURSDAYWoodworking Course10am-3pm
Computer and IT help drop-in
11am-3pm
VIC Choir (weekly)6.30-8.30pm
FRIDAYArt Group and drop-in10am-3.30pm
SECOND SATURDAYRossendale Armed Forces and Veterans’Breakfast Club 10am-12.30pm
The Link Cafe, Haslingden Community Link,
Bury Road, Haslingden BB4 5PG
EVERY MONTHPainting in the Style of Bob Ross artclassesContact Darren 01706 833180.
Walking Group, Social Outings andOutdoor Activities
These are held every THURSDAY. Please
visit the Events section on our VIC
Facebook page or log on to the VIC website
and follow the link to Projects and Activities.
www.facebook.comVIC Veterans In Communities
VIC supportedby:
Want to help?To donate to support the work of Veterans
In Communities please visit our
website and click on the secure
BT MyDonate page
www.vic.org.uk
VIC – 01706 833180 ContactsCombat Stress Helpline
0800 138 1619
NHS Military Veterans Psychological
Therapies Service (NW)
0161 253 6638
The Royal British Legion
0808 802 8080 7 days a week 8am-8pm
SSAFA
email [email protected]
01772 260 462
Rossendale Citizens’ Advice
0300 456 2552
The Samaritans
01282 694929 Mon to Fri 9am-9pm
Freephone 116 123
Mental Health Helpline
0800 915 4640 Mon to Fri 7pm - 11pm Sat
& Sun 12 noon to 12 midnight
Royal Air Forces Association
0800 018 2361
Veterans UK Free Helpline
0808 1914 218
East Lancashire Single Point of Access
via GP or self-referral
01282 657116
Bolton Armed Forces Centre 4 Veterans
www.bafc4v.org 01204 776628
Chief Executive Liz Hamilton
Operations Manager Bob Elliott
[email protected] 07961 554 006
Admin Officer Amanda Walton
Outreach Worker Steve Butterworth
Project Worker Bev Fowler
[email protected] 07741 902 343
Transformational Coach Gill Hughes
[email protected] 07741 902 411
Volunteer Outreach Worker Carole Mills
Volunteer Outreach Worker Liz Davies
Volunteer Support Worker Mel Fitzgerald
Arts and Crafts Co-ordinator Darren Horsnell
Outdoor Activities Co-ordinator Ivy Limbrick
VIC Choir Bookings Barry Hyde
ROSSENDALE
Outreach ServiceMONDAY - first week onlyPlace de Creil, near Wilkos, Nelson.
10am-noon
MONDAY - second week onlyMarket Place Car park, Town Square, Colne.
9am-11am
TUESDAY - every weekBreakfast Club at Burnley FC in the
Community Cafe, Charter Walk.
9am-11am
WEDNESDAY - every weekVeterans Community Cafe, 1 Great George
Street, Colne, BB8 0SY.
9am-11am
Contact 01706 833180 for dates of outreach
at the Pendle Armed Forces Support Group,
Holmefield Mill, Gisburn Road, Barrowford.
BURNLEY AND PENDLE
Outreach Service TUESDAY AND FRIDAY10am-3pm
VIC Shop, Accrington Arndale Centre.
10.30am-3pm Art group now on Tuesday.
The Sandbag Cafe and drop inTUESDAY10am-noon
Sandon House, Taylor Street, Heywood
OL10 4EF.
THURSDAY9am-10.30am Rochdale Breakfast Club,
Rochdale Town Hall Bistro OL16 1AB.
10.30am-noon
VIC Outreach1 Riverside, Rochdale OL16 1UB.
HEYWOOD, MIDDLETON AND
ROCHDALE
HYNDBURN
